Volunteering at The Huntington

Volunteering at The Huntington is a great way to learn about plants and culture, meet people with similar interests, and share your knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors! Volunteers are a vital and valued resource at The Huntington.

Are you thinking about becoming a Huntington Volunteer? Did you know...

You don't have to have an art degree, a green thumb, or a background in history.

Huntington volunteers range in age from 14 to 80+.

You'll receive training specific to your volunteer assignment.

Volunteer opportunities are available year-round, both on weekdays and weekends, in a variety of areas.

You can volunteer once a week or once a month.

You'll receive benefits like discounts in the bookstore and cafeteria, early entrance to the grounds, and invitations to special events and parties!

Already a Volunteer? Log in here:

Adult Volunteers

The talent, energy and skills of our volunteers enable The Huntington to support the collections and serve our many audiences. We seek to build an inclusive volunteer workforce and welcome people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, religions and talents who are interested in fostering teamwork and effective partnerships among volunteers and staff.

We receive many volunteer applications from interested qualified individuals which can make placing a volunteer at The Huntington challenging. We cannot guarantee that there will be a volunteer opening suited to the wishes of every prospective volunteer. To maximize the potential for a good fit between prospective volunteers and positions, please indicate your area(s) of interest and availability on the application. Please include a resume if you have one.

Your completed application will be reviewed and an inquiry will be made on your behalf to the department in which you have inquired. If there is an interest in pursuing your candidacy, we will contact you to discuss further details and specific projects.

All volunteer applicants are treated fairly and with dignity. Volunteer selections are based on merit, availability, experience, and/or departmental need without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ancestry, military service, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by Federal, state or local law.

Basic Requirements for Huntington Volunteers

The safety of our visitors, guests, staff, and other volunteers is of utmost importance. All volunteers are requested to undergo a background check for sex offender status.

Attendance at all training sessions is mandatory.

For volunteers working in a service volunteer position there is a minimum requirement of six months providing eight hours a month of volunteer service.

For volunteers working in a docent position a minimum requirement of two years providing eight hours a month of volunteer service is required.

High School Volunteers

General Descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students

High School Volunteers work in areas throughout The Huntington supporting staff and a variety of projects. High School Volunteers welcome visitors to the galleries, facilitate demonstrations in the Plant Conservatory, work in the gardens and assist staff and instructors with public programs. Huntington staff provide high school volunteers with an orientation and appropriate training course(s). Volunteers must complete an application, interview, attend all training courses, and be available to volunteer 1 day per week for a minimum of 6 months. Hours of service will vary according to projects.

Conservatory Program

The Conservatory for Botanical Science is nationally recognized for its excellent exhibits. Interactive for both kids and adults, the exhibits offer a unique view into the world of plants.

Preparator: The Conservatory Preparator is a reliable individual primarily responsible for preparing the exhibits for visitors prior to public hours. Preparators ensure that visitors get the most out of their Conservatory experience by keeping the exhibits in good working order.

Facilitator: Conservatory Facilitators are people-focused individuals primarily responsible for facilitating visitors’ experiences with informal science education. Facilitators also help to maintain the Conservatory throughout the day, but have a particular focus on helping visitors, including family groups, direct their own explorations of Conservatory exhibits and collections.

Gallery Welcome Center

Welcome Center Volunteers greet and orient visitors, welcome them to the art galleries, and oversee the loan and retrieval of audio guides to visitors. This project is ideal for volunteers who want to interact and speak with the public and familiarize themselves with The Huntington Art Collections.

Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.

Discovery Carts

Discovery Carts are educational carts that offer interactive and fun activities for children and their families who visit The Huntington. Cart locations include the Desert Garden, Japanese Garden, Lily Ponds and Chinese Garden. High School Volunteers welcome visitors and facilitate the activities on carts.

Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.

Gardening in the Children’s Garden

Do you have a green thumb? Or, maybe you would like a green thumb? Volunteers learn and assist with the gardening, grooming and maintenance of plants in the Children’s Garden.

Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.

Public Programs are offered to volunteers after they have started volunteering in one of the above projects.

Public Programs

Public Programs are educational, collection-based classes, workshops, lectures, and performances that are offered to the general public. They acquaint the public with The Huntington’s collections and encourage them to see The Huntington as a place for discovery and life-long learning. Continuing Education Programs serve adults while Youth and Family Programs serve children and families.

Time requirement: roughly 2 shifts every 2 months.

For information on the High School Volunteer Program, please contact Aileen Kelly at akelly@huntington.org or 626-405-3429.

How to Apply - High School Students ages 14-18

New volunteers can join the volunteer program in either April or October. Applications are accepted year round. To be considered for the April 2015 volunteer term, please return your application to the volunteer office no later than February 1, 2014. Sometimes we receive more applications than we have volunteer positions and are unable to place everyone. Volunteers are accepted based on their availability and potential for personal growth and positive impact.

Step 2: Sign-up for a group interview. All applicants will be contacted by email to sign up for one of the group interview dates. Interview times are assigned on a first come first serve basis and admission is rolling so we recommend signing up for the first available date.

Step 3: Attend the New Volunteer Welcome & Orientation. All volunteers accepted to the program must attend the New Volunteer Welcome and Orientation in order to volunteer. The Welcome and Orientation will be the morning of March 28th, 2015.

About The Huntington

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is a collections-based research and educational institution established in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington. Henry Huntington, a key figure in the...